Royal Caribbean Blog

It's very easy to get connected to Royal Caribbean's Wi-Fi on a cruise, and the speeds are faster than ever.

It's amazing how much better cruise ship Wi-Fi has gotten.  For years, it was expensive and slow, but thanks to Starlink, you can get true high-speed internet on a Royal Caribbean ship.

Today, Wi-Fi speeds on cruise ships are just as fast as hotel or coffee shop internet. It isn't quite as fast or reliable as what you have at home, but I think it's gotten so much better that it suits most passengers' needs.

Before you book, there are a few important things to know and tricks to save money on internet at sea.

How can I get internet access on my Royal Caribbean cruise?

You can buy a Wi-Fi package on the ship or before it begins. 

To buy it before the cruise, go to the Royal Caribbean app or Cruise Planner website and reserve a package.

Onboard the ship, all you need to do is connect to the ship's wifi network.

Connecting to Royal Caribbean's Wi-Fi is just like anywhere on land:

1. Log on to the network "royal-wifi" using your device.
2. Open a web browser and attempt to visit any website.
3. The Royal Caribbean WiFi login page will appear, with options to purchase an internet package or allow guests who already have a package to log in.

What is Voom?

You might hear and read about something called "Voom," which is what Royal Caribbean calls its onboard internet service. Unlike traditional internet options at sea, Voom utilizes a different kind of satellite technology to provide much faster connectivity.  

Voom offers guests the ability to stream music and movies, upload pictures, video chat with family and friends using FaceTime or Skype, check their email, look up their stock prices, surf the web, and stay connected with work via VPN.

In fact, on Oasis and Quantum class ships, you can easily stream video from services like Hulu or Netflix, or engage in FaceTime and Skype video calls.

On some other ships, notably Royal Caribbean ships that spend time outside the United States, the speeds may not be quite as fast, but fleetwide, the Voom service is significantly better than the onboard internet available through other cruise lines.

Is Royal Caribbean's Wi-Fi fast enough to work remotely for meetings?

While it's true cruise ship Wi-Fi has improved a lot, it's not quite as fast or snappy as it is on land. That's because of the nature of satellite-based internet.

However, I've found the speeds and latency to be good enough for most remote work. Royal Caribbean's Wi-Fi is certainly fast enough for checking emails, uploading files, accessing websites, and most online work.

Video meetings usually work quite well.  Occasionally, the signal may degrade because of clouds, bad weather, or just satellite transmission degradation, but I've conducted many video calls from the ship without an issue.  If you're trying to fool your boss, you're at home, it might not be up to that task. But I've had good luck with the internet holding up well.

One issue is VPN access, as not all VPN protocols are supported by Royal Caribbean's Wi-Fi network. You may find issues connecting to certain VPN servers depending on which protocol you use. I recommend having a backup VPN connection or two to try.

How do I sign up for Wi-Fi?

Your access to the internet on board your Royal Caribbean ship is tied to your stateroom and the account you create.  

When you first logon to Royal Caribbean's Wi-Fi, you will see an option to create an account, and there you can sign up for a plan or pay for the internet by the day.  In either case, the charge for internet usage will be applied to your stateroom account.

Alternatively, you can pre-purchase your wifi package and have it prepaid for your cruise.

If you buy it in advance via the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner website, then log on to the wifi network onboard your ship, and instead of being charged, you will see the prepaid plan ready to activate.

Can I use my Wi-Fi internet package at Perfect Day at CocoCay?

Yes, your Wi-Fi package works at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, for no additional charge.

What devices can access the internet? 

Any internet device that can access an 802.11b wireless connection can connect to the internet. This includes most smartphones, laptops ,and tablets.  

Royal Caribbean does provide workstations that are shared and available on a first-come, first-served basis, but we have found the workstations to be slow in terms of performance.

How fast is Royal Caribbean's Wi-Fi?

Let me be frank, internet access on a cruise ship will never be quite as snappy or responsive as it is on land.  However, Royal Caribbean's Voom packages are serviceable, and on the newer ships, pretty fast.

Several factors can influence how fast the ship's internet is, including how many guests are using it, natural barriers, and the ship's latitude.

Speeds don’t vary much between ships, but newer ships have newer technology with lower latency, so it seems faster. 

How much does internet access cost?

The cost of a Wi-Fi internet package varies depending on the number of devices and the service package purchased. 

Royal Caribbean offers unlimited plans that can be purchased onboard the ship or pre-purchased before the cruise. Without a doubt, you will save money by pre-purchasing your Voom internet package via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site.

If you wait to book onboard, here is a copy of Voom prices in 2026, which should be about the same across the fleet. These were accurate aboard Star of the Seas on the week of February 20, 2026. 

According to the sheet, a 7-night package for one device purchased on the ship costs $230.93, or $32.99 per night. A 24-hour pass is the most expensive, coming in at $34.99 per day. 

You can save money by bundling multiple devices under a single plan, rather than purchasing an individual plan for each person. For example, based on the sheet, a 4-device plan costs $755.72 for a weeklong cruise. This breaks down to $26.99 per day. 

Can I switch between devices while using a Voom package?

Yes, you may use as many devices as you like, but whichever plan you purchase will limit you to the number of devices that may be connected at the same time.  

To change devices, first log off the first device by typing logoff.com into your web browser.  This will log your first device out.  Afterwards, log back in with the other device.  You can do this as many times as necessary.

After I book a cruise, there's a sense of euphoria with all the excitement, but it's also when I start planning things out.

While you could probably book a cruise and do nothing else extra and still have a good vacation, I never leave things to chance. I always go through my checklist of important things to do before a cruise begins.

There are some very obvious things to do before any vacation starts, such as reserve a spot in the kennel, book a flight or hotel, or put in time off from work.  But I think there's more than that most people should be doing to avoid an easily avoidable issue later.

In all my years of cruising, I've found the most common problems tend to be ones that are avoidable with some early planning. You can't plan around every possible situation, but you can avoid the biggies.

With that in mind, I wanted to share the 15 things I always do before a cruise vacation so I can leave my house prepared for a great time.

Verify my passport is up to date

You can't go on any cruise without the proper travel documents, so the first thing I do is double check my passport is valid.

Not only does my passport need to valid today, but it needs to be valid when I go on the cruise. Be sure to double check the expiration date is well beyond the cruise you just booked.

I'm a major proponent of booking cruises very early, and sometimes I'll book a cruise up to two years in advance.  So it's critical my passport will be valid.

You don't need to have a passport for most sailings from the United States if you're a U.S. citizen, but I'd recommend everyone get one anyway. 

If your passport is going to expire, get the renewal process going immediately. Most of the time it's quick, but you don't want to discover your passport is invalid for travel the week before your cruise begins.

Find the perfect shore excursion for each port

Like many people, I love to go on a cruise for the places I'm going to visit.  The last thing I want to do is show up to a port and try to wing it, especially if it's somewhere I've never been.

I think a lot of people get excited for the places their ship will visit, and there's a myriad of choices of what you can do in each one.

I'll start researching shore excursion options right around 6 months before the cruise begins.  It doesn't make a lot of sense to do that any earlier because a lot of tour options may not even be available to book yet.

Sometimes the choice of what to do is obvious.  If my cruise stops in Antigua, I'm automatically going to look for a great beach to visit.

But if my cruise goes to Hamburg, Germany or Halifax, Nova Scotia, I'm going to need to learn about what there is to do before I book a tour.

If you have no idea where to start, I'll google "best things to do in ____" or I'll go to YouTube and do a similar search.  Sometimes I'll add "day trip ideas in ____" to ensure the results are ideal for a cruise ship visitor.

Royal Caribbean offers its own assortment of shore excursions, and that can also be a starting point for finding a tour.

No matter which tour I book or if I book through the cruise line, I always make sure I have a plan in place before my ship sets sail.

Buy any cruise add-ons and start tracking the price

One truth within Royal Caribbean is it will cost less to buy a drink package, WiFi, shore excursion, or spa treatment if you pre-book it before the cruise begins.

I'll log into the Cruise Planner website right after the cruise begins and book anything I know I want, such as a specialty dining package.

There's two reasons I pre-book immediately.

First, it will be cheaper than if I wait to buy it on the ship. Royal Caribbean runs sales quite often, and I can always re-price them if there's a lower price later.

If you spot a lower price, just cancel your purchase and then re-book at the lower price.  It's simple and quite effective.

Second, things sell out way quicker than they used to.  This is probably because Royal Caribbean has gotten much better at alerting its customers to what you can pre-purchase.

Things that always sell out include:

• Shore excursions
• Dining packages
• Royal Railway reservations
• Cabanas at Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee

It's a good idea to book what you know you need and think you need.  You can always cancel any of it up until a couple days before the cruise begins.

Make my dining arrangements

Before I step aboard my cruise ship, I want my dinner plans to be in place so I'm not scrambling for where to eat later.

If you booked My Time Dining, then you'll want to make reservations ahead of time in the app or website.

Thanks to the update in Royal Caribbean's dining packages, you can pre-book restaurants.

Buy a travel insurance plan

No matter if I go on a cruise or someone on my team does, we always sail with travel insurance.

You can buy a travel insurance plan immediately after you book a cruise, and it's a solid investment to protect you and your family for unforeseen situations.

In all reality, you probably won't need the insurance, but it's so helpful if you do need it.  And considering travel insurance for one trip is fairly inexpensive, I think it's well worth buying.

Join a roll call

For any cruise longer than a weekend, I'll join a roll call for that sailing.

There's almost always a Facebook group for each sailing, and it's a way to not only meet people on your cruise, but learn helpful information along the way.

The truth about any Facebook group for a sailing is you're going to encounter know-it-alls, complete newbies, wrong information, and fun stories.  But it's worth it simply for the opportunity to see what others are planning, be alerted to changes quickly, and otherwise get excited for the cruise.

In addition, you can join one of the Royal Caribbean Blog roll calls and virtually meet people on your sailing.

Check the dress codes

There will be suggestions of what to wear most evenings in the Main Dining Room, and you should check what they are before you sail.

Don't get too wrapped up in dress codes, because they're suggestions and rarely enforced.  But it can be a lot of fun to get dressed up on a cruise.

While I think the days of people wearing black tie clothing is passé, so many families love to get matching outfits to take photos onboard.

Or if you're sailing over a holiday, now is the time to get that embarrassing St. Patrick's Day beer belly shirt that my neighbor Kenny loves to wear.

Buy all those things on Amazon for my trip I said I'd get

If you're like me, you read a blog post or watch a video about how helpful a certain travel accessory or item is to have and think, "I should get one for my next cruise."

Well, now is that time!

I've left for too many cruises to realize at the airport or hotel I forgot to bring that one thing I wanted to try.

There are all sorts of essentials to bring on a cruise, so consider this your reminder to actually buy them.

Go to the bank to get cash

I'll go to the bank about a week before my cruise begins to have a certain amount of cash with me.

I never have cash in my everyday life because I rely on credit cards, but cash is useful on a cruise.

There are a few times it comes in handy:

• Tipping porters in the cruise terminal
• Gambling in the casino
• Taxis in port
• Tipping bartenders and waiters

How much cash you need really depends on your cruising style.  There is an ATM machine onboard if you truly underestimate your needs.

Complete online check-in

As soon as you can check-in for your cruise online, you should do it.

Royal Caribbean opens the check-in window opens 45 days before a sailing.

First and foremost, you can get a check-in time slot for the time to arrive at the cruise terminal. While check-in times are rarely enforced these days, it's still worth getting one.

Then, you should complete all the steps in the check-in process by using the Royal Caribbean app.  

Completing check-in online saves you time later in the terminal.  When I get to the terminal, I don't want to waste time standing around. I want to get on the ship!

Plus, it might get you a faster way onto the ship!

Add my SetSail pass to my wallet

After I complete online check-in, I add the SetSail pass to my Apple Wallet.

I learned this lesson the hard way a few times, where inexplicably the SetSail pass doesn't load on embarkation day within the Royal Caribbean app.

It's a weird bug, but it happens. But if I have the SetSail pass added to my digital wallet, it works every single time. Plus, it's faster to load when I need to show it.

Pre-book shows

Royal Caribbean allows passengers to book select shows on Icon, Oasis, or Quantum Class cruise ships before the sailing and it's totally free.

This allows you to get into a specific performance at a certain time and it makes planning your evenings a lot easier.

Plus, most shows will sell out and you'd have to wait in the standby line if you don't have a reservation.

You can usually book shows up to 30 days before the cruise begins from the Cruise Planner or Royal Caribbean app.

Watch a video ship tour

Whether I've been on the ship or not, I'll watch a cruise ship video tour on YouTube in the days before the cruise begins.

Part of the rationale is to learn about what the ship offers, and it's also to just get excited about the trip.

We have a lot of full ship tours on the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube channel, each of which provides visuals of the ship and detailed commentary about everything to expect.

Print luggage tags

Last, but not least, I'll print out luggage tags and affix them to my luggage.

Luggage tags are necessary for getting your bags delivered to your cabin.  You give them to the porters and they take them onto the ship.

You can print the luggage tags by logging onto Royal Caribbean's site and accessing your online cruise documents.

Bring a bag I can use on shore excursions

There are lots of good things to pack on a cruise, but a bag you can take to the beach or around a city is super helpful.

I like this tote bag because it's useful for cruises and at home. I'm all for things I can use in my everyday life, plus a cruise vacation.

Having a small, yet practical bag to carry the essentials while going ashore (or to the pool deck) is really useful.

I recently stayed in a cruise ship cabin I knew was in a location that I recommend avoiding, but I was curious if it would be as bad as people say.

This cabin is located at the very front of the ship, offering a view you don't usually get. However, this room location is notorious for being bad with motion.

I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas, which is one of the newest ships in the fleet.  Some cruise advice is rooted in decades old lore, so I was curious if staying in a cabin all the way forward would be a mistake.

I didn't seek out this room, but it was what was left when I received an offer from the casino loyalty program for a "free cruise".

I decided to give it a try and see if the room's layout and view would make up for any potential issues with noise, movement, or something else.

I stayed in an oceanview cabin at the very front of the ship

My room was cabin 9500, which is at the very front of Utopia of the Seas.

Most cruise ship hallways go from the front to the back of the ship, but when you reach the front of the ship, the hallway turns sideways.

Unlike most oceanview cabins, this one faces forward instead of to the side, offering a view most other cabins don't get.  This is partially why I booked the room.

Plus, it's a large space.  The layout of the cabin adds more living space because the room is angled to the front.

Walking into the stateroom, the layout is typical of most standard rooms on Utopia.  A private bathroom is at one side, with the bed and closet space nearby.

In fact, there is a lot of storage space in these rooms. Frankly, I think the amount of storage space and closet configuration is superior on Oasis Class ships compared to the newer Icon Class ships.

There are two large closets on either side of the bed, with shelves and hangers inside.

Past the bed is a large couch and vanity.

The couch is plenty big, and it faces the large window. I thought it might be perfect for watching the world go by, but the window is angled enough so that you can't see the horizon if you're laying down on it.

The vanity has a mirror, electric outlets, and a chair.  When seated here, you can get a great view outside the window.

The window itself is massive and there's an electric curtain to open or close it.

A sign indicates the window should be closed at night to prevent ambient light from my cabin illuminating outwards and potentially causing trouble for the ship's bridge above.

There's not much to see at night, so that's not a problem.

The switch made it simple to open and close the shade, and the shade did a great job at blocking out the light to keep the room dark for sleeping. I was impressed how dark the room got when the shade was closed.

Since the window is angled, the head space quickly shrinks as you get closer to the window.  

Even though an adult cannot stand up straight right at the window, the room felt quite big and I'm certain a standard oceanview cabin would not have felt nearly as big.

Movement in the room made sleeping difficult

Conventional wisdom says cruise ship cabins at the very front of the ship should be avoided because they tend to have more of a sensation of movement. 

That advice was accurate for my sailing.

As Utopia moved through the ocean, any waves the ship encountered were broken by the front of the ship and the shudder seemed to be worse in my room than elsewhere.

One evening I was in the Mason Jar bar, and I had to go back to my room to get something. I instantly noticed the amount of movement was more noticeable in my room compared to the bar.

Personally, movement doesn't bother me as much because I think it helps me sleep.  A gentle rocking motion isn't so bad for how I like to cruise.

However, someone more sensitive to motion might find it nauseating.

The real problem with this room was when the ship would dock in the early morning hours.

On this 3-night cruise, we visited Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.  On both stops, the ship used its bow thrusters to safely move it alongside the pier.

The problem is those bow thrusters are directly below my room and it felt like an earthquake each time they were used. 

Docking began around 6am or so, and it took about 20-30 minutes to complete the procedure.  This meant I was startled awake by the shuddering and it lasted long enough to make going back to sleep difficult.

I'm not someone to sleep until noon, but I'm also not an early riser. This would be the top reason I wouldn't book this room again.

A room at the front of the ship has a long walk

If I value sleep the most, convenience would be second.

The fact this room is all the way at the front of the ship and this is one of the biggest cruise ships in the world, the distance to walk was substantial.

It really meant that it wasn't quick if I needed to run back to the room for something.  Obviously this is a "first world problem" and I don't expect any sympathy for it.  But I guarantee anyone staying in this room might think twice if they truly need to go back to the cabin because of the distance.

When I've stayed in rooms much closer to elevator or stairs, I don't lament going back to my room as much.

The greater distance to walk is a minor gripe, but something else that added to my experience.

I was surprised how many people prefer this kind of a room

When I shared my experience staying in this cabin on YouTube, more people than I expected commented that they wouldn't mind booking this cabin.

The overarching theme among those that said they would book it seem to be they are early risers and don't sleep past 7am.

"Instead of turning me off of it you sold me on it. I would never close the window shade. I would lay under there at night to watch the stars. I wake up at 6am normally anyways."

"If I wanted to sleep in a hotel, I'd go to a hotel for cheaper and not go on a cruise ship."

"Ship movement doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I try and book as far forward and as high as possible. Love the rockin and rolling!"

Suffice to say, I don't agree with their assessment.  But it goes to show you why online cruise reviews are so subjective, and why you should never use them as a basis of booking a cruise or not.

I won't book this kind of room again

While I thought the view and window were great, I wouldn't book a room at the front of the ship again because of the poor sleep I got.

I can deal with the long walk and the extra movement, but the lack of sleep really bothered me.

It wouldn't be an issue on a sea day, but since Utopia of the Seas only does short 3- and 4-night cruises, it's almost all port days.

Someone posted on my YouTube video this would be a great room for toddlers because of the extra living space. Plus, they're short enough the lower ceiling wouldn't be a factor.

I thought the room itself was great, and I even got to see a SpaceX rocket launch from my window.  There's no denying it's something different and not your typical cruise ship room.

However, I think the advice to avoid cruise ship rooms at the front is still a mistake to avoid.

In the future, I'll stick to a room closer to midship for the convenience and less issues with movement.

Read more: How to choose a cabin

A Royal Caribbean cruise ship is back in service after engine problems, and a temporary issue with its private island pier has been fixed.

Between the itinerary changes due to the unprecedented winter weather, technical issues, and damaged piers, the past few weeks haven't been the smoothest for travelers. Thankfully, recent repairs and better forecasts seem to be helping things get back on track. 

For starters, Anthem of the Seas is back in service after being pulled for repairs to address a technical issue that arose last month. Passengers aboard the January 27, 2026, cruise were informed just a few days before embarkation that, as a result, their sailing had been unfortunately canceled. 

"Anthem of the Seas experienced a technical issue on its last sailing, and we're returning to begin required maintenance. Unfortunately, we will not be able to complete the needed repairs in time for our 27 January sailing," read the upsetting email. 

(Credit: Mattynice75/Reddit)

However, according to a Reddit post shared on Saturday, Feb. 5, Anthem of the Seas is ready to welcome passengers back on board. 

"Beautiful day to board Anthem of the Seas. After she spent 10 days alongside for emergency repairs it’s great to see Anthem here in Sydney for our cruise. Perfect day for it too," wrote Mattynice75. 

Cruise Mapper further confirms that Anthem of the Seas returned to Sydney and set sail on the scheduled 7-night round-trip Queensland cruise. She is expected to arrive in Airlie Beach on Feb. 9. 

(Credit: Cruise Mapper. Screenshot taken at 1:25 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 6)

Anthem of the Seas is a Quantum Class cruise ship that debuted in 2015. She'll remain Down Under through April 2026 before relocating to Seattle for a seasonal stint in Alaska. Anthem is scheduled to return to Sydney, Australia, in October. 

She measures 168,666 gross tons, 1,141 feet long, and can accommodate over 4,100 passengers at double occupancy. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean cancels Australia cruise because of propulsion problem

CocoCay pier is fully operational again

At least two cruise ships had to cancel their visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay this week after high winds caused the catwalks to fall into the sea on the eastern side of the pier. Freedom of the Seas was diverted to Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic, while Celebrity Reflection went to Freeport, Bahamas. 

"As the Captain announced earlier, due to this past weekend's winter storm, which included strong winds and heavy seas at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas, catwalks fell into the sea on the eastern side of the pier," read the informational letter given to guests aboard Freedom of the Seas. 

"Unfortunately, divers have not been able to locate all of them, which prevents us from safely docking the ship at Perfect Day at CocoCay. After exploring and exhausting all other alternatives, we'll skip our visit. We'll now enjoy a sea day tomorrow and visit Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic, on Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM," it continued. 

(Credit: Lynette Trease/Facebook)

Future cruisers were initially wary that their visits to CocoCay might be canceled due to the recent pier damage. However, Royal Caribbean confirmed that the repairs were complete in a statement given to TravelPulse:

"Perfect Day at CocoCay experienced adverse weather over the weekend of January 30–February 1 and temporarily closed. Following assessments, the eastern side of the pier was unavailable for docking, and select itineraries were adjusted. Guests were informed directly, and operations have since resumed."

This was confirmed when both Adventure and Liberty of the Seas successfully docked on Thursday, Feb. 5. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! The dock at Coco Cay is re-open! Liberty and Adventure are currently here!" Lynette Trease shared on Facebook. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean Ship Diverted from CocoCay Due to Temporary Pier Issue

Another winter storm caused two ships to skip visits to CocoCay today

(Credit: Cruise Mapper. Screenshot taken at 1:45 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 6)

Unfortunately, while the pier is fully repaired, strong winds on Friday, Feb. 6, prevented two ships from docking safely, forcing last-minute cancellations for guests sailing on Explorer and Icon of the Seas. 

Angela Marie Collins Frost shared the news on Facebook, with Cruise Mapper confirming that the scheduled port day was turned into an extra day at sea for the vessels. 

According to Wunderground, the reported winds in the Bahamian capital of Nassau were around 17-18 miles per hour (mph) this morning. While that might not seem extreme, the winds were strong enough to make docking unsafe for large vessels.

Icon of the Seas is currently on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise that previously called at St. Maarten and St. Thomas. The Icon Class ship is due to return to Miami on Saturday, Feb. 7. 

Explorer of the Seas is finishing up a 5-night Bahamian cruise. The 137,308 gross-ton vessel departed Port Canaveral on Feb. 2 and visited Bimini two days later. She'll return to Florida on Saturday as well. 

What is the best room you can get on a cruise ship?

What makes the decision so difficult is there are so many personal preferences and sub-categories to consider. How many people are you sharing the room with? Are you prone to getting seasick? Will you spend more time at the pool or casino? How much of a budget do you have?

There are lots of considerations that go into picking the perfect room, and it goes well beyond cost.

A stateroom is similar in some respects to a hotel room, but cabins tend to be smaller. Plus, I think a cruise ship room selection is more important because you're likely to be on a ship longer than a hotel.

Before you choose a Royal Caribbean cruise ship room, I would recommend looking at 4 important things first.

Cruise room types, explained

Let's start with the basics, because every Royal Caribbean ship falls into one of four major categories.

• Interior rooms: Smallest and (usually) cheapest rooms on a cruise ship, inside rooms have no windows or access to the outside. It's four walls with no view.
• Oceanview rooms: If a cabin with a view is important, an oceanview room comes with a window. Usually a bit larger than inside rooms, oceanview cabins have either a porthole or window that has a view outside (although you cannot open the window).
• Balcony rooms: Balcony rooms are the "Goldilocks stateroom" because they have access to fresh air via a balcony that has at least two chairs and a table. The convenience is undeniable, and the cost to move up is affordable compared to the next category.
• Suites: The luxury option for vacationers that want opulence with their room choice. Suites have the most living space, ideal locations, and often have separate living and sleeping rooms. Plus, they come with extra perks and included amenities.

All cabins on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship come with basic amenities, such as a private bathroom, bed, sitting area, closet, and vanity. The difference is bigger rooms may have more space, and suites have extra perks.

What is the best room location on a cruise ship?

The best room location sounds like a simple question, but it depends on your needs and preferences. Some people care more about proximity to areas they frequent, others want quiet locations above all else.  

The generally accepted ideal location for any room is to be in the middle of the ship, on a mid to lower deck. That's because you'll feel the least movement and be centrally located on the ship.

Rooms at the very front or on higher decks can sometimes feel like there's more movement because the roll and rocking of the ship tends to be worst there.

Don't let that scare you, as cruise ships are quite stable most of the time.

Being closer to an area of the ship you'll spend more time is important too. If you're someone that will be up at the pool all the time, why not pick a room on a higher deck so you can easily pop in and out without much of a trek.

But if you prefer bar hopping, the casino, or the restaurants, picking a cabin on a lower deck might make more sense.

But before you book any room, there are cabins to avoid because of noise issues.

The rule of thumb is to avoid rooms above or below a pool deck, bar, or other public venue. You want to book a room that has another stateroom above and below your cabin.

When my kids were young, I told my travel agent to find us a room near the kids club so we could quickly bring them back and forth. But as they got older, I switched to rooms close to the Royal Promenade so I could conveniently get to the evening activities.

Should you let the cruise line pick your room?

Royal Caribbean offers guests the option to let the cruise line pick their room assignment in exchange for a discount, but this comes with a few important things to know.

A guaranteed room assignment means at some point between when you book the cruise and the sail date, Royal Caribbean will choose the specific room from the leftover cabins that haven't been sold yet. 

It could take days, weeks, or even months for your room to be assigned and it could take all the way until the day of your sailing.

The potential issue is you may get a less desirable room location, such as a cabin all the way forward, a connecting cabin, or a cabin under the pool deck.

Not everyone hates their assignment, and it may end up being a perfectly adequate room.  Given the amount of money saved, booking a GTY room might be perfect.  

I think you should choose this option if you're flexible with a room location, not a light sleeper, and not particular susceptible to getting seasick.

Pick a room by balancing cabin size, budget, and amenities

Start the selection process with the least expensive cabin and moving up to see which option matches your needs and budget.

An inside room will suffice, but if you can afford to move up to a balcony or suite, then see how much more that option will be. There are wonderful aspects to each room type, but if you can't afford it, then it's not worth considering.

Royal Caribbean ships offer various room categories, including balcony rooms that face inwards, inside cabins with an LED screen that have an outside view, and many family rooms designed for larger families.

An inside room will be the cheapest option and small. But it gets you on the ship and you can argue you'll be so busy enjoying all the activities onboard and ashore, so why spend more on a room you will use for sleeping, showering, and changing?

It's an economical choice, but since it has no windows, that may be a stumbling issue.

Moving up to an oceanview or balcony cabin adds a way to look outside during your cruise, but the price can vary wildly.

On average, an oceanview usually isn't much more than a balcony. Think of it like moving up from a small to a medium popcorn at the movie theater. They price it so you think you may as well go for it.

The cost of a balcony can vary greatly, especially if you're sailing to Alaska or the Norwegian fjords because balconies are in high demand for those itineraries.

A suite rarely disappoints, but the price tag can be substantial. Royal Caribbean suites can easily cost between $10,000 and $30,000 for a 7-night cruise.  In fact, the epic 1,772 square foot Ultimate Family Townhouse averages over $100,000 per sailing.

Picking a cruise room based on price is a mistake because you'll likely end up disappointed in what's missing or how much you feel you overpaid for it.

Once again, I recommend working with a good travel agent to narrow down your choices and make it easier to find the right room for your family.

Celebrity Cruises is known for its chic ships, upscale ambience, and world-class dining. As such, it's a popular choice for travelers seeking a premium cruise experience. 

While Celebrity is owned by the parent company of Royal Caribbean, the two lines couldn't be more different. Neither is inherently better than the other, though — the right choice for you depends on your travel style. 

After taking over 10 Royal Caribbean cruises, I embarked on my first-ever Celebrity cruise aboard the line's newest Edge Class ship (at the time) in 2024. Within minutes, I was wowed by the multi-deck Grand Plaza, modern cabins, and expansive buffet. 

Since then, I've continued to choose Celebrity over Royal Caribbean for its design-forward ships, destination-focused itineraries, and elevated service. 

However, there are a few things I wish I had known before my first Celebrity cruise, especially as someone who isn't necessarily part of the cruise line's primary target audience. 

Celebrity isn't much more expensive than Royal Caribbean

When you hear "premium cruise line," it's easy to automatically assume that means higher base fares. In reality, however, Celebrity isn't much more expensive than Royal Caribbean. In fact, you can sail on one of the line's newer Edge Class ships for less than Royal Caribbean's Icon and Star of the Seas. 

Here's an example: In 2024, my partner and I booked a dreamy 7-night Greek Isles cruise on Celebrity Ascent, which was the line’s newest ship at the time. Our infinite veranda stateroom for two cost $4,990.32, including taxes, port fees, gratuities, a drink package, and Wi-Fi.

Comparatively, we sailed on Icon of the Seas in 2025. The base fare was lower at $3,802.46, but we ended up spending an extra $990.92 on the Deluxe Beverage Package and $219.90 for Wi-Fi. The kicker? The price didn’t even include an ocean-view stateroom!

For that reason, I wouldn’t dismiss Celebrity Cruises at first glance. You might be able to score a better deal than you would on a Royal Caribbean ship. 

Flexible package options let you customize your experience 

On a similar note, Celebrity makes it easy to tailor your vacation to your preferences and budget. When you book your sailing, you can book the line's "All Included" rate, which bundles a Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-Fi into the price. 

You can upgrade your packages through the Cruise Planner before your sailing, though it’s entirely optional. Alternatively, you don’t have to choose a bundled fare and can add the individual add-ons that you want. 

This flexibility makes it easy to vacation in a way that feels personalized. For example, Royal Caribbean offers just one alcoholic beverage package. Celebrity, however, lets you choose from two drink package tiers, allowing guests to pick the option that best fits their personal drinking habits and budget.

Read more: Is Celebrity's drink package worth it? I tried both to see which was better

Similarly, Wi‑Fi on Celebrity is flexible and customizable. When my partner and I booked our cruise to Norway aboard Celebrity Eclipse, Basic Wi‑Fi was included in the "All Included" fare. 

We didn’t think upgrading both of our internet packages was worth the cost. So, we upgraded my partner's Wi-Fi package for just $48.50 (thanks to our Elite discount), while I stuck with the basic option. 

Since Royal Caribbean has just one internet package, if we both wanted to be connected at the same time, we would have to purchase two VOOM packages. 

Don't miss the buffet on the last sea day

On the last sea day, the buffet transforms into a seafood extravaganza with everything from a massive shrimp cocktail tower to ceviche, mussels, strip steaks, and elaborate desserts. Even if you aren't a big seafood fan, you can't miss the chocolate fountain, intricately designed cakes, and other yummy treats. 

Beyond the seafood feast, the buffet is a solid choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The made-to-order stations are my favorite. The stir-fry, in particular, has never disappointed me. You'll find other rotating global dishes, too, including seafood saganaki and chicken paella. 

The specialty restaurants are worth the extra cost

Speaking of food, I've found Celebrity to have some of the best specialty restaurants at sea. From the tableside cooking at the French-inspired Murano to the upscale flavors at Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud and the casual bites at the Rooftop Garden Grill, there's something for every palate and budget. 

While that's not to say the complimentary options aren't satisfying (they are!), Celebrity's specialty restaurants just offer a completely elevated culinary experience — think creative menus, premium ingredients, and attentive service. 

If you aren't sold on the $125-per-person experience at Le Voyage, consider the Fine Cut Steakhouse for a more approachable yet memorable dining experience. Tuscan Grille on Solstice Class ships is another personal favorite, with tender steaks, delicious pasta, and incredible wake views. 

Read more: I ate my way through a luxury cruise ship. These are the 6 dishes I'm still thinking about

You can enjoy complimentary drinks while actively gambling in the casino

All casino players can enjoy basic drinks while playing in the casino aboard Celebrity ships. It doesn't matter if it is your first-ever visit to the casino or if you're a serious gambler — you just have to be actively playing. 

The options are limited, though. Expect a small selection of well liquors, beer, wine, and soda. Moreover, service can be slow. Still, having the option for complimentary drinks in the casino highlights why Celebrity is classified as a "premium" cruise line. 

This benefit differs from Royal Caribbean's Club Royale program, where you have to earn enough points before you can receive complimentary beverages. Another bonus? The Celebrity's casinos are non-smoking. 

It's important to arrive at activities ahead of time

Activities like game shows, Musical Murder Mystery, and trivia are wildly popular on Celebrity cruises, so you want to arrive early to snag a seat.

Many of the game shows are highly interactive. Some, like "True or False," encourage every audience member to participate. Other times, you can enter your name in a drawing and try to be one of the lucky contestants that gets to battle it out on stage. Even if you aren't selected, the high-energy activity hosts make the game shows entertaining to watch.

The Musical Murder Mystery should be on every adult's must-do list, too. It isn't offered on every sailing, so when it is, you can imagine that it fills up fast. The immersive performance, typically led by the Cruise Director and/or the activity staff, is hilarious and will have you laughing non-stop. 

Celebrity isn't just for older travelers

Because I'm in my mid-20s, I always assumed that I would feel out of place on a Celebrity cruise. Royal Caribbean caters more to families, while Celebrity generally attracts a slightly older crowd. While that's definitely true, I found that I didn't mind the low-key atmosphere. 

Non-stop thrills used to be my favorite way to vacation as a teenager (I still remember my initial obsession with Oasis Class vessels). However, Icon of the Seas was exhausting. My partner and I agreed that we felt like we needed a vacation after our vacation!

Rather than trying to cross off every amenity — from water slides to Broadway-caliber musicals, AquaTheater shows, comedy performances, rock climbing walls, and more — I prefer sea days spent lounging by the pool, destination-focused itineraries, upscale cocktail bars, and world-class cuisine. 

Plus, Celebrity really isn't that tame. The daily schedule includes ABBA sing-a-longs, late-night deck parties, silent discos, and more. In short, if you're expecting a retirement community-like vibe, you'll be surprised! 

The loyalty perks are pretty solid, but I missed the daily Diamond vouchers

As a Diamond Crown & Anchor Society member, I get Elite perks when sailing with Celebrity. These include a nightly happy hour from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., a complimentary bag of laundry, Wi-Fi discounts, and more. 

Still, I prefer the Crown & Anchor benefits, especially the daily Diamond vouchers. While I enjoy Celebrity’s happy hour, the Diamond drinks offer far more flexibility — I can use them ashore at Perfect Day at CocoCay, sip a mimosa with breakfast, or enjoy a cocktail in the evening at the famous Schooner Bar. 

Over the course of a weeklong cruise, the vouchers, which can be used on beverages valued up to $14, can save a lot of money. 

Additionally, since I typically book Celebrity's "All Included" rate, the nightly happy hour isn't that valuable to me. Conversely, the flexibility of the Diamond drinks means I rarely feel the need to splurge on a pricey Royal Caribbean drink package.

Even though Royal Caribbean's private destination in Haiti is closed, one of its ships made a quick stop for an important reason.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas made an unscheduled stop in Labadee, Haiti, to drop off relief supplies while cruise visits are suspended due to the ongoing unrest around the couuntry.

In January, Royal Caribbean made the difficult decision to cancel all scheduled visits to Labadee through December 2026. Rather than calling at the private Haitian port, ships have been rerouted to destinations like Nassau, Bahamas; George Town, Grand Cayman; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Bimini, Bahamas. 

Even though ships aren't supposed to resume visits this year, guests aboard Oasis of the Seas' current 6-night Western Caribbean cruise reported that the ship briefly stopped at Labadee on Tuesday, February 5. 

Passengers were not permitted off the 226,838 gross ton vessel while it offloaded relief supplies. The operational and humanitarian supplies stop highlights the cruise line's support of its private destination during the ongoing crisis. 

The destination can't completely shut down when there aren't any active visitors, so the supplies are likely what’s necessary to maintain the cruise port and its skeleton staff.

Haiti is currently under a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory from the U.S. State Department due to escalating gang violence and serious security concerns. While the Labadee resort area is protected by a private security force, Royal Caribbean said it suspended calls to Haiti out of an "abundance of caution."

NBC 6 South Florida recently reported on the crisis, stating the violence has dramatically increased since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.

With gangs now controlling large parts of the capital, families have been forced to flee and live in makeshift shelters. Shockingly, more than 1.4 million people have been displaced across the country as the political instability and gang violence worsen. 

(Credit: Cruise Mapper. Screenshot taken at 3:15 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Feb. 5)

Cruise Mapper further confirms the visit, showing Oasis of the Seas making her departure from Haiti around 3:15 p.m. EST. Now, Oasis will make her way back toward Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for disembarkation on the 7th. She already called at the scheduled ports of Nassau and Falmouth earlier this week. 

Multiple passengers were arrested on Sunday, February 1, after attempting to smuggle illegal drugs on Symphony of the Seas.

Nine passengers were boarding a sailing chartered by Atlantis Events, which was marketed as "the world’s biggest gay festival at sea." However, they were all apprehended during the check-in process when a trained K-9 narcotics dog flagged their bags. 

Miami-Dade County inmate records reveal that the men tried to bring on drugs ranging from MDMA to ketamine, methamphetamine, and GBL, Local 10 reported. 

Some of the quantities were too low for a full-blown investigation by Homeland Security. Instead, they were passed on to Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office deputies. 

As of Monday morning, court records indicate the defendants were in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center near Doral, Florida.

"[The Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office] arrested a total of nine individuals on various drug-related charges," Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Detective Joseph R. Peguero Rivera said in a statement to The Advocate. 

Symphony of the Seas is an Oasis Class cruise ship that entered service in 2018. According to Royal Caribbean's website, she measures 228,081 gross tons and has a passenger capacity of around 5,500 at double occupancy. 

Through April 2026, Symphony of the Seas will offer Caribbean sailings from Miami, Florida. Afterward, she will relocate to Galveston, Texas, where she will remain through at least January 2028. 

Symphony of the Seas is set to return to Miami on Sunday, Feb. 8.

One defendant had "several bags" of pills and liquid

(Pictured: Ryan Medrano. Credit: Mugshot Zone)

Joshua Eddy, 41, of West Hollywood, California, was caught with "several bags of several pills and liquid," court records state. The substances tested positive for 19.33 grams of MDMA, 3.45 grams of ketamine, 7.55 grams of meth, and 80 grams of GBL.

He appeared in court on Monday, facing a total of four charges, including three counts of possession of a controlled substance and trafficking MDMA. Judge Christina Miranda set a $7,000 bond. Eddy's arraignment court date is scheduled for April 2, 2026. 

Joshua Jenkins, 39, of Tacoma, Washington, was also arrested on Sunday, Feb. 1, when trying to board Symphony of the Seas. 

(Pictured: Brad Kloha. Credit: Mugshot Zone)

According to Jenkins' court records, his bags were flagged for further screening, which then revealed pills that tested positive for 2.11 grams of meth.

He also appeared in court on Monday with a charge of possession of a controlled substance. Unlike Eddy, however, he was released on his own recognizance.

Moving on, Brad Kloha, 41, of Nashville, Tennessee, was caught with pills that tested positive for 16.3 grams of MDMA and 17.8 grams of ketamine.

(Pictured: Adam Jones. Credit: Mugshot Zone)

Court records show that he appeared in bond court on Monday, facing two charges: Possession of a controlled substance and trafficking MDMA. Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Laura Gonzalez-Marques set his bond at $6,000. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers reported finding "a container" with pills in the bag of Adam Jones, 49, of Atlanta, Georgia. The pills eventually tested positive for 22.8 grams of meth. 

The arrest quickly moved from the port to the courtroom, where official records state that Jones appeared on Monday and faced one charge of drug trafficking. His bond was set at $5,000. Along with Eddy, Jones is set to appear for his arraignment on April 2. 

(Pictured: Tamar Wilson. Credit: Mugshot Zone)

Hoi Le, 52, of San Francisco, California, had "two clear baggies with suspected narcotics" in his luggage. Court records reveal that the baggies were tested and came back positive for 14.94 grams of meth and 3.2 grams of ketamine. 

He appeared in bond court on Monday and faced two charges: Possession of a controlled substance and trafficking meth. Judge Michelle A. Delancy set his bond at $5,000, and he is scheduled to appear in arraignment court on April 2. 

Ryan D. Medrano, 27, of Phoenix, Arizona; Tamar J. Wilson, 37, of Chicago, Illinois; Daisuke Nakanoh, 40, of Chicago, Illinois; and Ricardo Gabriel Junquera, 39, of Miami, Florida, were also arrested and face similar drug charges, including allegations involving cocaine and GHB, according to court records.

Multiple deaths have occurred during Atlantis Events-chartered cruises that date as far back as 2010

To start, GLAAD board member Spencer Yu died of a heart attack that was allegedly due to drug use while sailing on Mariner of the Seas in 2009, The Advocate reported. 

One year later, a 37-year-old passenger died while on Liberty of the Seas in 2010. Local police issued a statement that said there appeared to be "no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death."

In 2012, a 30-year-old man went overboard from his stateroom balcony. Eight years later, another passenger sailing aboard an Atlantis Events-chartered cruise died after going overboard in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Two years prior, television personality Joel Taylor, 38, died aboard Harmony of the Seas, as shared by PEOPLE. His toxicology report by the Institute of Forensic Sciences of Puerto Rico reported that he had a fatal amount of drugs in his system, including MDMA, Zolpidem, ketamine, and MDA. 

The Advocate confirmed yet another death in January 2022, though Atlantis Events claimed that the death was "nothing out of the ordinary."

Finally, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson confirmed the death of a passenger in 2024 in a statement to The Advocate, which was later confirmed to be Jonathan Mindrum, 36, of Chicago, Illinois. 

Following his death, Mindrum’s father, Craig, wrote a touching tribute in Newsweek, remembering his son as one of "...the smartest people [he's] ever known."

"[I]t was my son's ability to bring together apparently disparate pieces of knowledge and experience—knit them together and perform a new synthesis—that really set him apart for me," Craig said. 

Experts claim that seniors are the most experienced cruisers, spending more money on longer trips than other age groups. However, they routinely make a huge and potentially costly insurance mistake. 

Squaremouth reports that 95% of seniors (those 65 and older) cruising in 2026 are repeat sailors, often booking voyages of two weeks or longer with an average spend of nearly $7,000. 

Despite their extensive experience at sea, many senior cruisers — a staggering 76% — miss out on important travel insurance protections by assuming their Medicare coverage extends abroad. In reality, most traditional health insurance plans don't provide coverage outside of the United States. 

Not only that, but many seniors who do purchase travel insurance policies still end up underprotected. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that medical evacuations can cost upward of $250,000. Yet, 35% of seniors buy less than $250,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage, while 32% purchase less than $100,000 in Emergency Medical coverage. 

For example, Royal Caribbean's standard travel insurance policy only includes up to $25,000 in Emergency Accident Medical coverage and $50,000 in Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage. 

As a result, roughly one-third of senior cruisers are underinsured while at sea. That means that, even if you think your insurance policy will help during unexpected emergencies, you could still be left paying tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket, depending on the final costs. 

Beyond underinsuring, here are two other mistakes senior cruisers make when it comes to travel insurance. 

Waiting too long to buy travel insurance

Seniors commonly have pre-existing health conditions compared to other age groups, such as heart issues or diabetes. As such, they're at a greater risk of complications while traveling, highlighting the need for added protections like Cancel for Any Reason and Trip Interruption for Any Reason. 

However, if you don't purchase a travel insurance policy within a certain window, you could be out of luck. Many seniors aren't eligible for these important protections because policies often must be bought within 14 to 21 days of making your initial cruise deposit. 

Consequently, waiting too long to purchase travel insurance could greatly reduce or eliminate all flexibility to cancel or interrupt your trip for (nearly) any reason. 

Skipping out on key cancellation coverage

Cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, offer their own travel insurance policies that you can purchase when you book your cruise. However, according to Squaremouth, they have poor cancellation terms and only provide future cruise vouchers, rather than cash refunds. 

If you don't have any non-refundable trip expenses or have credit card coverage, you should always add Trip Cancellation coverage. Unfortunately, 23% of seniors don't think this is necessary. 

With Trip Cancellation coverage, you are protected against costly pitfalls.

Read more: Her $13,000 infirmary bill was higher than the cruise itself: Why one cruiser regrets not buying travel insurance

How old is too old to go on a cruise?

Research from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) indicates that Baby Boomers are the wealthiest generation in history — and they love to travel!

Seniors have the time to get away and travel because they are retired. However, as previously mentioned, they also face a greater risk of complications while traveling due to underlying health conditions that are common as one ages. 

While cruise lines don't enforce a maximum age limit for their passengers, seniors must take extra precautions before hitting the high seas to ensure that they can have a safe, fun vacation. 

These measures include consulting with their primary doctor and ensuring that they purchase not just adequate but robust travel insurance that provides a safety net for emergencies and mishaps.

Additionally, seniors with mobility issues should plan ahead and reserve an accessible stateroom, as they're limited compared to the number of standard cabins available. For example, Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas has 41 accessible rooms, while Vision of the Seas, one of its oldest and smallest ships, has just 14.

These wheelchair-friendly staterooms feature wider doorways, roll-in showers, grab bars, lowered surfaces, and more.

Read more: How old is too old to go on a cruise? What an expert recommends

Just like the first two ground-breaking vessels, Royal Caribbean's third Icon Class ship will have its own Chief Dog Officer. 

Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, shared that the newest puppy was recently born.

"Breaking News ! A Legend has been born and she is as cute as cute can be ! Mmmmm now if only we had a name for this little cutey and future Chief Dog Officer of the new ICON class Legend of the Seas," Bayley wrote on Facebook. 

Icon of the Seas was the first ship to feature a full-time Chief Dog Officer. Even before moving on board, Rover captured the hearts of thousands online. 

Star of the Seas followed the same "paw" prints, with Sailor joining the crew on the second Icon Class ship in 2025. Now, cruise fans eagerly awaiting Legend of the Seas' launch have something else to look forward to. 

Rover didn't join Icon of the Seas until she was six months old. The unnamed puppy will likely follow a similar time frame, giving Royal Caribbean time to properly train her and help her develop sea legs.

If this is true, the newest Chief Dog Officer won't join Legend of the Seas until at least August 2026, after the vessel's maiden voyages in July. That said, this remains speculation, as Royal Caribbean has not confirmed an official timeline or date.

Cruise fans share their name ideas on social media

Bayley's comment section was flooded with name ideas for the adorable new pup. Within hours, the post had over 400 comments with cruise fans weighing in on what Royal Caribbean executives should name the soon-to-be Chief Dog Officer. 

Brie Marie Becker suggested Siren because, "...she’s a captivating legend who will be traveling the seas."

"'NOCI' Icon spelt backwards. Pronounced 'Gnocchi' like the Italian potato dumplings," commented Barbara Bamford.

Debbie Debra Patton Evans added, "Bonnie...as in the song, my Bonnie lies over the ocean....my Bonnie lies over the sea...."

"How about Coco?! Could be after the style legend Coco Chanel or after the island Coco Cay!" wrote Rhonda LaPlace Thompson.

Other ideas include:

• Legend
• Destiny
• Anchor
• Gilligan
• Maisy
• Ranger
• Pearl
• Norway

Legend of the Seas will enter service earlier than expected 

Legend's construction has moved along more quickly than anticipated. As such, passengers booked on the first sailing in July were informed that the inaugural cruise was moved up to July 4, 2026. 

"We simply cannot wait to show off The Next Icon of Vacations – Legend of the Seas, that we have now added one (1) extra sailing, a 7-Night Western Mediterranean Cruise on 4 July 2026, that will be the inaugural sailing to kick off the celebrations for our inaugural season!" the email reads. 

The maiden season for the new Icon Class ship will commence in Europe — a first for this class of mega-ships. Then, Legend will relocate to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before returning to Europe for a seasonal stint in 2027. 

During its European season, Legend will call on bucket-list destinations including Naples, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; Marseille, France; and La Spezia, Italy — all while being an Instagram-worthy destination herself.